In answering many questions from interested onlookers during our week long test, I pretty much sum up the Honda Ridgeline as the answer to the consumer problem of: “I need a car but I want a truck,” or, “I need a truck but I want a car.”

Confusing?

Let me explain. The new Honda Ridgeline is classified as a light duty mid-size pickup, and its underpinnings are pretty much a blend of car, SUV and truck components. Ridgeline seats five passengers and comes in one flavor only, the popular four-door crew-cab design. Available in seven trim levels, Ridgeline engineers successfully combine the best of what makes Honda cars and SUVs so good while not forgetting that truck owners need their fair share of muscle, too.

Specifically, our upper class RTL-E comes with standard AWD and lists for $41,370. The final tally came in at $42,270 as only a $900 delivery fee was an extra charge. No options were listed, and frankly, none were needed. The higher you move up the Ridgeline ladder, which starts with the two wheel drive RT at $29,475, the more standard features a consumer receives.

Built on a car-like unibody chassis instead of a full truck chassis, Ridgeline guarantees outstanding ride comfort and then compliments the motif with a steel reinforced bed and a bevy of car, SUV and pickup features. Ridgeline, thus, ends up almost in a class by itself and proof of its status comes via the most recent “North American Truck of the Year” award it received at the recent Detroit Auto Show.

Totally redesigned for 2017, Honda Ridgeline has been around since model year 2006 with not much fanfare or exciting sales numbers. The first generation was built in Canada and was more SUV than truck. The new model, however, is built in Lincoln, Alabama, and is more truck like than SUV. Notable is when Honda announced in late 2013 a new generation was coming, it wasn’t until fourth quarter 2016 this new 2017 Ridgeline appeared. (There are no 2015 or 2016 Ridgeline model years).

A major notable is Ridgeline’s ability to do some truck work, from towing to transporting cargo. Granted, Ridgeline is not built to tow a broken down 40-passenger school bus, but its AWD tow rating of 5,000 pounds and trailer towing assist with harness allows most all lighter duty applications from towing a smaller camper or boat to hauling a race car on an open trailer. Although Ridgeline Crew Cab features the expected smaller cargo bed (5 ft. 4 in.), it’s still longer than the other mid-size competitors, has better payload numbers (1,500 pounds) and is the only mid-size pickup that can carry the 4x8 sheets of plywood with tailgate down (6 ft. 11 in.).

Additionally, a “little trunk” that offers 7.3 more cu. ft. of cargo space is built into the rear of the steel bed for extra cargo, like small suitcases or a tool chest. The bed also features a built in audio system for those tailgate parties while the dual action liftgate either drops down or swings aside. There’s also a power outlet in the bed, too.

Under the hood sits a 3.5-liter, 24 valve overhead cam V6 putting out 280 horses and 262 lb. ft. of torque. Coupled to a six-speed automatic owners can expect 18 city and 25 highway EPA fuel mileage numbers, both very good for a mid-size pickup. Ridgeline’s automatic AWD system is decent, too, but does not offer a low-range like most of the competitors do. If you’re thinking serious off-road excursions, think again. This is not a serious mountain fun machine so keep this in mind when someone eggs you on to climb over some boulders.

Standard on the RTL-E is a great sounding 540 watt premium eight-speaker audio system and the Honda Sensing safety package, the latter which offers safety enhancements like collision braking, adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, forward collision, and lane departure warning.

There’ so much more I wish I could write about concerning amenities and standard features, but we’ll leave that to your area Honda dealer.

In summary, Ridgeline’s success lies in the fact that it now offers a more truck like build with the ability to think you are riding in a car. Be it the comfortable ride, inviting interior, standard moonroof, handling sophistication or hauling some cargo, Honda Ridgeline delivers.